Scott MacKay

Not to brag or anything, but we must point out that our `On Politics’ blog has made the Washington Post’s annual list of best state-based political blogs in the United States. This is the second straight year `On Politics’ has been in such august company with blogs from all 50 states. We also should note that our friendly competition, Nesi’s Notes, the work of intrepid WPRI_TV blogger Ted Nesi, was the other Rhode Island blog to make the coveted list.  On Politics is co-authored by Ian Donnis, RIPR political reporter, and Scott MacKay, RIPR political analyst.

Len Levin, a retired Providence Journal editor known for his meticulous work with reporters’ copy and a deep knowledge of all things Rhode Island, has been chosen as the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s new grammarian.

Levin, an extraordinarily literate and well-read person, replaces the late Joel Sekeres, also a retired ProJo editor and reporter who died recently. Levin will assume responsibility for parsing high court decisions for grammar errors.

Most Rhode Islanders by now have adopted a my-eyes-glaze over attitude towards a dysfunctional federal government that careens from one self-inflicted crisis to another. The latest is the so-called sequester, the arbitrary cuts in federal spending that loom because Democrats and Republicans in Congress can’t seem to act like grown-ups and figure out how to deal with taxing and spending.

Rhode Island’s economy is finally showing signs of emerging from the recession. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay tells us how the sequester fiasco in Washington threatens our state’s progress.

Most Rhode Islanders by now have adopted a my-eyes-glaze over attitude towards a dysfunctional federal government that careens from one self-inflicted crisis to another. The latest is the so-called sequester, the arbitrary cuts in federal spending that loom because Democrats and Republicans in Congress can’t seem to act like grown-ups and figure out how to deal with taxing and spending.

The list of potential implications to RI is long if the so-called sequestration kicks in:  from longer lines at the airport to job loss to less educational research.  Scott MacKay reviews what might be in our future. 

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you.  news@ripr.org

Brown University's public opinion poll is the latest opinion survey to show strong support for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, the last New England state without legal sanction for gay marriages. The survey also shows that Providence Mayor Angel Taveras has the highest job approval rating of any major Rhode Island elected official: Here is the full poll:

Brown University president Christina Paxson was part of an interesting forum in the Atlantic Monthly’s March edition. The question asked of a group of intellectuals and academic historians was: What day  most changed the course of history?

Ken Burns, the documentary film maker, said it was June 28, 1914, the day Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which started World War I. Yale history professor Paul Kennedy said  it was the day Thomas Newcomen invented the steam engine.

Today on Smith Hill, a lobbyist with the National Rifle Association and a captain in the Rhode Island State Police are meeting with lawmakers for an informal session. They are coming at the request of Woonsocket Democrat Representative Lisa Badelli-Hunt. She says lawmakers need more information if they’re going to intelligently consider gun legislation this session.

Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay joins afternoon host Dave Fallon to discuss the meeting and what it means for gun control measures in the state.  

The high cost of local government in Rhode Island has forever been an issue. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay wonders why – even in a recession- our little state can’t make progress on consolidating municipal services.

It seemed like a smart and easy way for both Warwick and East Greenwich to save taxpayer money. In 2011, at the depth of the recession, leaders of the two communities got together to see if they could merge fire dispatch services in a way that would incorporate new technologies and save money.

If yesterday’s dress rehearsal is any indication, this year’s Providence Newspaper Guild Follies will be  the funniest in years!

The Follies, of course, is the original spoof in song, skit and stand-up comedy of all things Rhode Island, especially our state’s politicians. This year, among the stars will be Linc, Gina, Angel, Jack, Jim, Sheldon, Elizabeth and David!!